Chapter Seven

Confrontation

Zarrak landed on the beach much harder than he

expected. he cut a comical figure, wadeling

around, trying to get his land legs back. After

all he had been flying for around 12 hours!

The white beach swept slowly, gracefully

into the crystaliine waters of the bay. Zarrak

looked up, and saw the lush, dripping jungle.

Though the region seemed deserted, he

knew he was being watched. He could

practically see the pairs of eyes watching

him from that jungle.

Zarrak quelled whatever flickers of fear were

darting around in his heart. Who was he to

worry? he was Zarrak! Nothing could harm

him!

With this thought in his mind, Zarrak strode

purposfully towards the jungle, and whatever

awaited him there. But he had not even

travelled 3 paces when the vegetation parted,

and a figure walked out to face him.

Zarrak stopped and stared.

She was just a little shorted than he was, yet

the way she held her head up high made him

want to flinch. She was slim, yet lithe. She was no

wisp of a...a...whatever she was. her form was

attractive, and her aurmor was the same

azure color of the bay that now faced his back.

Zarrak was drawn most to her eyes.

They were yellow, nothing really remarkable

about that, but they radiated wisdom and serenity,

and at this moment wariness and a touch of fear.

Just by gazing into those clam pools of yellow,

Zarrak felt like he could be lost in them forever!

Whoever she was, she was slowly, cautiously

walking for him.

"Hello!" Was the first thing that Zarrak culd

think of saying, and he cursed himself for it. There

was something else about her gaze...like...like

she could see right through him...

"Greetings!" She relied, and Zarrak felt chills

run through him at the cool sound of her voice.

"I am the Toa Nuva of Water, Gali Nuva. Are you

Zarrak?"

Zarrak couldn't be sure what on earth a toa

was, but he was glad that he knew the name of

this being. Gali. Very pretty, like herself!

"Ah,yes!" Mr. Suave Zarrak nearly stammered

"I Am Zarrak..."

He watched her eyes again. Gali was still very

much afraid of him.

'But why?' He thought, taking a step towards

her, and watchng her flinch, 'Why? I won't hurt

her!'

Gali kept her disance

"And what is a Zarrak?" She asked, sounding as

though she were choosing her words very, very

carefully, "A strange type of rahi? A kind of

vegetable, perhaps?"

She was mocking him, Zarrak knew. He could

tell by the edge of defiance that had krept into her

voice. Zarrak let it go, however. He was still

contemplating her question.

"I...i don't know what a Zarrak is!" He
realized,

feeling flustered. What was it about htis

beautiful Gali Nuva that tied up his tongue so? " I am Zarrak!" He said, doggedly ,the only

thing he knew for sure, the only thing he was

absoloutly positive of

There was some new emotion in Gali's eyes,

now. Pity? Sorrow? Only s shread, so he could

not be sure.

Something stirred in Zarrak's chest, a beast,

perhaps? It reared it's ugy head, and Zarrak's

features twisted themselves into a scowl. Pity?

He was not to be pitied! He was Zarral!

"Don't pity me!" Zarrak growled, surprised

at the unintended harshness in his tone. At the

moment he expressed his sudden anger, he

felt a wave of power release unbidden from

himself, crashing over Gali and sendind the

Toa to her knees, groaning.

"Gali!" Someone cried.

Zarrak looked up, and saw quite a sight. 5

other warriors, looking the same as gali, except

lacking her...feminesence came sprinting out onto

the beach from the jungle. The White one rushed

to Gali, and cradeled her head. The Red one

turned and glared at him, while the others took

positions around him as if they ment ti fight!

"What have you done?" The Red Toa spat, hate

etched brutally into every syllable

"Please-" Zarrak began, not even sure he knew

what he had done himself

"Your evil is not welcome here!" The stocky

Black Toa said, with that same darkness in his

tone.

Zarrak was feeling confused. The beast that

had reared it's head in him not so long ago was

sleeping again, a smile across it's face. Zarrak

had not meant to hurt Gali! But now here...friends?

Wre drawing weapons on him, looking murderous

and preparing for a fight!

Zarrak was backing away.

'What are you doing?' That nagging voice in his

head demanded, 'You are Zarrak! Who are they to

threaten you with meager powers and tools! If they

want a